Prairie View Today

Frederick V. Roberts, Esq.

Published 7:00 pm, Wednesday, September 19, 2007

The event, hosted by Prairie View A&M University and the city, will see more than 800 members of the university and community engaged in a program to help beautify the community. PAW is part of the university's service learning program, directed by Dr. Lauretta Byars, vice president for institutional relations and community service. Persons interested in PAW should contact Dr. Byars at lfbyars@pvamu.edu or call (936) 261-2130. Pitch In!

While the PVAMU Panther football team did not fare too well in its match up with the Southern University Jaguars on Sept. 15, the team held the Jaguars to 12-2 a victory, not a blowout as projected. The team can also take pride in boasting a 2-1 early season record, the first in many seasons. With a loss behind them, the Panthers are geared up for the annual showdown with the Grambling Tigers in the Cotton Bowl Classic on Sept. 29 in Dallas. Of course, the Marching Storm is set to defend its title "the best SWAC band," against Grambling's Marching Tigers. In other sports, the university's volleyball and soccer teams take to the courts and fields for competition this week with teams from Texas Southern, Alcorn and Texas College. The men's and women's track teams are headed to College Station for Texas A&M University's invitational on Sept. 22-23.

St. Francis of Assisi will host its Men's Fellowship Breakfast on Sept. 22 at 8:30 a.m. in the parish hall. The free event is open to men of the community. Additionally, the church will host the Rev. Andrew C. Doyle, canon to the ordinary, at its worship service on Sept. 23 at 10 a.m. The public is invited to attend. Also, the church will host a welcome service for all Anglican/Episcopal (Canterbury) students attending PVAMU on Oct. 14 at 10 a.m.

More than 50 members of the PV/Waller County community turned out for the first Mayor's Breakfast on Sept. 12, hosted by the Economic Development Corportation 4-B in the Willie A. Tempton Senior Memorial Student Center at PVAMU. Publisher, editor and entrepreneur Robert Malonson was the featured speaker. Malonson, publisher of the African American News and president of the Acres Home Chamber of Commerce, told the eager audience that it had the power to change the economic landscape of Waller County and challenged the group to step up to the plate. "I can be your voice if you want me to," Malonson said. The event, co-sponsored by with PV Chamber of Commerce, is slated as a monthly event with the next one set for the second Wednesday of each month at 7 a.m. For details, call city hall at (936) 857-3711.

Sept. 13 was a great day for the city of Prairie View with the opening of Papa Leo's Brisket and Beans eatery on University Drive. The food is great, so go by and enjoy the varied menu. Helen Boyer, property owner, carried the banner for eatery when she hosted the reception for members of St. Francis on Sept. 16. Local students can enjoy special discounts on Thursdays and Fridays. The eatery is continuing the legacy of Harding and Evelyn Jones who operated the Pitt Bar-B-Que for many years.

The Prairie View Retired Teachers Association, the Anne Preston Unit, will hold its first meeting for 2006-07 on Sept. 26 in the parish hall of St. Francis of Assisi Episcopal Church, 300 Dooley St. in Prairie View. All retired educational personnel are invited to join this spirited group of folks for a fun-filled time. Mrs. Gwendolyn Carter is the incoming president. On another note, congratulations to Mr. Samuel Montgomery on his election as district president for the Texas Retired Teachers Association. In this capacity, Montgomery, the immediate past president for the Anne Preston Unit, will oversee the activities for more than seven areas in the district.

Kudos to Prairie View's own legendary coach Barbara Jacket, who was a featured presenter at the inaugural Track and Field Symposium held Sept. 12 at Tennessee State University. Jacket, former head track coach and Olympic track coach, was one of six legendary coaches to speak at the symposium - "An intimate conversation with greatness."

This Thursday, Sept. 20, more than 100 students, faculty and staff from PVAMU are headed to Jenna, La. as folks from around the country rally in support of the six black students being charged with assault on white students. The group is hopeful for the convictions to be overturned for all of the students charged.

Calling all aspiring black lawyers to the third annual national black pre-law admissions and preparation conference and law fair 2007, set for Nov. 2 at the University of Houston in the University Center in Houston. The free event is open to high school students, college students, college graduates, working professionals, career changers, advisors, and parents who want to encourage and guide their children to law school. For information log onto www.BlackPreLawConference.com and register at register@blackprelawconference.com or call (281) 247-4026.

A View from the Hill: The Career Outreach and Services Department at Prairie View A&M University kicked off the 37th Fall Career Festival with the Dr. Irvin C. Gordon Recognition Banquet to honor more than 100 students who participated in Co-Op and Internships during 2006-07 on Sept. 17 in the Willie A. Tempton Sr. Memorial Student Center. Mr. Andre Johnson, former PVAMU drum major and president and CEO of Speaking Muscles Academy and Institute, charged up the audience with his fiery message "Does Your Image Match Your Ambition." The Caterpillar Corporation, Shell Oil and Enterprise Rentals were co-sponsors for the annual event. Mrs. Clara Cox Gordon, widow of Dr. Gordon, was also recognized for her continued support. Mrs. Thommyee Phillips was among the community members attending the affair. Thanks to Johnie Jones, vice president of the Student Government Association (SGA), who served as MC, Andre Evans, president of the SGA, and Jenerria Lewis, a freshman communications student, for her rendition of "Hero." Other events included the Networking Social for the students and recruiters at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Houston on Sept. 18 and the Technical Job Fair on Sept. 19. The Non-Technical Job Fair will be held today (Sept. 20) from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in MSC Ballroom. The students also participated in various career related seminars. For information, call (936) 261-3570.

The Students In Free Enterprise team is off to a great start at the university, with Andrew Williams, a junior communications major, as its new president. The 14-member team, along with chaperones, Kameko Bowers, Shadia Washington, and Frederick Roberts, Sam Walton Fellow, traveled to the University of Texas at Dallas for the Walgreen's/SIFE Fall Regional Training. There the students participated in several organizational leadership activities that will help guide the team this year. The team will host a series of activities for the freshman students, beginning with the Financial Management 101 Seminar on Sept. 26 and Freshman Talent Showcase on the Hill on Oct. 3. For information on SIFE, call (936) 261-3579.

The Frederick Douglass Leadership Institute is venturing into the mentoring arena at PVAMU. FDLI is the only student group focusing on leadership at the university and is poised to launch the first ever student-managed mentoring program with more than 40 students interested in becoming mentors for the freshmen students. The prospective mentors received instructions from Dr. Ronald Briggs of the counseling center concerning their roles and responsibilities. Next step is the matching of the mentors with more than 100 students who have signed up for the program. Jessica Berry, the third-term president of FDLI is optimistic for the success of the program. Jazmone' Rylander is the chair for the mentoring program.